May 2

The First Lesson

So Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. — Luke 11:2 BSB

Heaven is “the Father’s House.” It is our true home. Here on earth, we are just passing through, travelers on our way home. There’s something deeply comforting about the idea of home—it draws the sailor, the soldier, the explorer, and even the prodigal back from far-off places. God has given most of us fond memories of home so that we can imagine what awaits us in heaven and long for it. “Blessed are those who are homesick, for they will reach home!”

But the greatest thing about heaven will be the revealed presence of our Father. All our doubts and misunderstandings will vanish. We will know and see, just as we are known and seen. Jude tells us that we will be brought into the presence of God’s glory, faultless and filled with joy. It’s as though Jesus Himself will introduce us to the Father in all His glory.

Yet we don’t have to wait for heaven to know the Father. If we know Jesus, we already know the Father. It troubled Jesus that His disciples had spent so much time with Him yet didn’t fully understand that everything good and holy in Him was a reflection of the Father’s character. To know Jesus is to know the Father. To pray to Jesus is to pray to God, because Jesus is God revealed to us. He wasn’t just some temporary disguise or an earthly form that He cast off later. God was truly in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.

When we pray, we must have reverence. God is in heaven, and we are on earth. We shouldn’t approach Him casually, as if we’re entering a familiar room where formality doesn’t matter. When we enter a friend’s home, we wipe our feet and take off our hats—let’s not forget to show the same respect when we begin our prayers. The angels cover their faces and cry out, “Holy!”

But we can also come with great faith and trust. The Father of Jesus is waiting for us. Jesus ascended to His Father, who is now also our Father. We are praying to the One who loves us with an everlasting love, just as He loves His Son. And He extends the golden scepter of grace toward us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I adore You! There is no limit to Your power or Your love. You are worthy of all praise and love! Accept the worship of my heart and my life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.